KatieOkieDokie

I had to answer around 400 questions that ranged from questions about hearing voice, thinking people were following me, if I like certain types of magazines, if I loved my parents if I ever wanted to hurt anyone. A lot of the questions seemed to focus around my mood, and mental state of mind, and I think the other questions like about magazine, or wanting to be a nurse were test questions. I know the questions seem pointless when it comes to WLS but I think it's to see how you are mentally. After WLS we go through a lot hormonally and emotionally and that could effect our mood, and mental health. If we are showing signs of this before surgery it might worsen after. As far as my interview with the psychologist it was very laid back, and nice actually. Mine was awesome. I he really did good at focusing on WLS, and making sure I knew what I was getting into. And he really focused on my support system. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! lol

I cannot wait to not.. Worrying if I can buckle my seatbelt That they will sit me at a booth in a restraunt Fear of not being able to sit in the seats at concerts, sporting events etc. Worrying if I can fit in the seats at a beauty salon My lower back hurting when I walk My upper back hurting from being to busty (Hopefully I lose boob) Getting out of breath when I walk Hearing my extended family (you know those you only see once a year at a big family function, great aunts and uncles, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins) saying things like "Wow you've become a big girl" "I remember you when you was this big, you was so small" and crap like that. I have a friend who decided about 6 months ago he was going to lose weight and work out. And he did he lost about 35lbs in 5 months. During that time he REALLY bashed me and put me down for my weight. Rubbing it in my face that I couldn't do as much as he could, and how much he was losing etc. He really made me feel bad about myself. I can't wait to the day he can't do that to me anymore! Not having to feel like it's killing me to tie my shoes..oh and when I tie my shoes they won't be tied on the side..lol. I can think of a lot more things I can't wait to do lol like being able to ride a roller coaster and not worrying about fitting in the seat, being able to wear boats..those tall ones! Wearing dresses, I am going to wear tons of dresses! Riding a bike, hopefully get a few dates and meet someone nice..lol. When I go to weddings dancing my butt off, swimming and not feeling like a whale, or some freak..oh and have an actual swimming suit. The past two years I combined shorts/skirts, and shirts to make my own make shift swimming suit. I want an actual one! OK got off track sorry.

So happy to hear this! Hopefully today is just as good

I hope you are doing well! I came here to see if you had updated! I hope to hear from you soon! Let us know you are OK!

I have a higher BMI, I'm around 70 (I'm 5'4 and when I had my consult with my surgeon I weighed in at 422lbs that was two weeks ago). He will not perform surgery on anyone whose BMI is too high for safety reasons. The liver being enlarged, bruising, etc. He said he would like me lose 75 lbs before he would perform surgery on me. I have a three month diet where he wants me to lose 60, and the last 15 will probably come off during my four week pre-opt diet (or more). They put me on a 3 and 2 diet that is taken from the Medifast 5 and 1. I eat three high Protein Snacks. I have a Protein shake for Breakfast which I eat around 8:15 why I don't know I just do..lol. Then around 10:30 I eat a Protein Bar which is actually really yummy. Then I get a lean and green meal. Which consists of a lean meat (turkey, tuna, chicken), and a green veggie I always eat green Beans, I am not someone who likes change and can eat the same thing over and over again. lol. Then at 3 I have another protein shake, and at 5 another lean and green meal. I do mix the meat up with this meal, but not the veggie, I eat broccoli. I only eat around 800 calories a day. However, I started this diet this past Monday and I now weight 415lbs have lost about 2lbs a day. I was told not to start walking (which is part of it) until the second week. So I'm curious to see how much it will add or subtract from my loss! My doctor also told me that he thinks that the Sleeve is good for me because of my BMI, I thought I had read that the sleeve was best for those with higher BMI's but I maybe I am mistaken? Anyway, I do agree with some who said the best thing to do is to start now trying to eat right, and losing weight if you feel that you may have too. I was told to ditch all the bad habits before even meeting with the doctor which I tried to do. I stopped drinking pop, I haven't have sugar or chocolate since Feb. I drink TONS of Water and I'm at the point that I don't like drinking anything but water and Protein shakes (and yes I like my protein shakes even the ones I mix from powder lol I'm starting to think I'm strange.. that may change after surgery though..lol). Anyway, I wish you the best of luck!! Sorry if this is long.

YAY Congrats!! New year, and new life!!

Hey OP (Original poster) how are you feeling today? Any better? I hope so! I hope today you woke up feeling wonderful! But if not I pray that day by day it gets a little more easy for you! I understand why you posted! The one reason I LOVE this site is I get BOTH the good the bad and the ugly (I listed 3 things..lol). But it's good to know that things don't always go smooth, that people react to the surgery, and sometimes medication differently.. Leaks can happen, bleeding, pain, getting sick. etc. etc.. and the good can happen too! There is nothing wrong with letting people know I am pre-sleeve probably will be sleeved around March and I want to know what can go good and bad!

May I ask what caused the internal bleeding, and was you having kidney issues before the surgery and the internal bleeding worsen it, or was it a direct side effect of the internal bleeding?

I was wondering if anyone had/has to do the 3 and 2 diet? This is where you eat/drink 3 shakes or protein bars, and 2 green meals a day. I am started this diet Monday for the next three months and I was wondering if anyone else had to do a diet like this, and how it was? I'm so scared I'm going to be hungry..which I probably will..lol. Any tips would be great!

Just a warning this is going to be long! So after years of researching, studying, talking to people, going to seminar's trying to find the right and best hospital with a reasonable price I am finally going to get sleeved! This seems like a life time in waiting, even though I know some people have had to wait a lit longer than I have. I am a self pay so I had to come up with the money, or find a way to pay for it. Thankfully I have a wonderful support system, and awesome parents who love me and knows that I am worth the money! They found away to pay for surgery, because they love me and kind of want me around for a little longer. I guess it was about a year ago, about this time last year when I realized that I am not healthy, and it wasn't one of those I looked in the mirror and noticed how I let myself go moments. It was an I can't believe how bad I feel, I can hardly walk anymore moments. I get out of breath, I sweat, my heart races and I can only go a few feet before I have to sit down. I noticed my left foot and ankle was swelling and little things like bathing was becoming hard. I couldn't stand without back pain, and I was always sleepy. And going out, forget that. I no longer wanted to do anything because I didn't feel like it, or because I would have to walk long (or short) distances and I knew by the time I got to where ever it was I was going I was worn out, in pain, and grumpy and I needed change! I needed a lot of change. I knew I was gaining weight, but I didn't know it was bad as it was until then. The thought of going on another diet sicken me. First I have so much to lose, and I could hardly move. And of course how many times have I lost and then regained even more, it was a cycle and I just dreaded the thought of doing that again. So I started to look at other options, and my mom mentioned WLS. I have a cousin who was banned a year earlier and had lost around 100lbs. She was doing well, and says to this day it was the best choice she made in her adult life. So I started to look into the different options. Everyone knows about the GBY, and the band, but the sleeve was new to me, and to be honest with you at first I would just skip over the sleeve. I was pretty fixed on GBY. That was until one of my best friends called me and told me she was looking into getting the sleeve, and that I should check it out, it might be a better option. So I started to do my research, I joined here, and started to learn massive amounts of information both good and bad! I made sure to know what can go wrong, just not good. After a month or so I had decided that I wanted to get the sleeve. I made my decision at the turn of the New Year and I decided and knew that having WLS isn't the easy way out, and that I would have to make major commitments, and changes to my life. So I decided why not start now? So I started to change my eating habits, cutting out certain foods, adding some healthy food, dropping the pop. Trying to be more active (hardest part). But I also had to come up with away to pay for the surgery. I don't have insurance, I can't work. So I have no income. Which makes one think why even try? I tried fundraisers. They didn't work. I think I got two donations for a total of about twenty dollars. Still it's better than nothing. I started joining sites that pay you to take surveys, or read e-mails, or visit other websites, and while I do make some money off those, it would take me forever to collect the amount I needed. Since I have some co mobilities that's due to obesity I even applied for disability. I of course was rejected twice. That's when my parents decided to step up and give me a new chance at life! Yesterday I had my first appt. with my surgeon. I do have to lose some weight, and I'm going to be on the 3 and 2 diet for three months (I start Monday). I have to get my BMI down some. I am OK with this, it's for my safety. I am looking at a March surgery, or depending on how fast I lose weight. I am so happy that this is finally happening! Even though I have to wait for another poss. 4 months I'm OK with that. At least it is happening!

So my consult with Dr. Curry went great!! I have to do a 3 and 2 diet for three months to get my BMI down, and we are aiming for March for surgery! So if anyone has done the 3 and 2 diet any tips are appreciated!

I too am a gen x, but a late child.. born in 1980. So I actually consider myself both a child of the 80's and 90's. I grew up watching Scooby Do, Thundarcats, My Pretty Pony, Gem, Fraggle Rock, All the puppet shows, You Can't do that On Television, Alf, Small Wonder, Saved by the Bell, Melrose Place, 90210, California Dreams, Dawsons Creek, Wrestling and there many name changes lol. Clarissa Explains it All, Blossom. Music influences: Devo, Pat Benatar, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, Paula Abdul, The Bangals, Go Go's, Bananarama, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna,Phil Collins, Genesis, Aerosmith, The Beastie Boys, Berlin, Billy Idol, Guns-n-Roses, Metallica, Poison, New Kids on the Block, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Babes in Toyland, L7, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, The Misfits, Rancid, 311, No Doubt, Garbage, Green Day, The Foo Fighters, B52's, The Presidents of the United States, Betty Blowtorch, Luscious Jackson, White Zombie, Rob Zombie, The Cranberries, Cake, STP, Alanis Morissette, Korn, Oasis, New Rascials, I could go on and on!! I LOVE music! Movies: Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the Thriteen, Halloween, Fright Night, The Lost Boys, Dirty Dancing, Splash, Top Gun, Nadia, The Never Ending Story, The Monster Squad, Goonies (of course), Mask, I think every generation should put the Wizard of Oz because face it .. it rocks. The Titanic, Dangerous Minds, An Officer and A Gentleman, Flash Dance, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Empire Records, Scream, Steel Magnolias, Mall Rats, .

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice!! My biggest fear is him jumping on and ripping my incisions open! We are having an awful time training him not to jump! He was actually my brothers dog, and he had him for about a year and my sister-n-law became pregnant and Cooper liked to jump and they was scared that he would hurt her or the baby, so they decided they couldn't keep him anymore. They already had one little boy who was attached so I decided to take the big ol' pup. Happy I did too!! Love him to death! But his jumping is crazy! I may just carry the broom around with me..haha. My aunt (whose my next door neighbor) does have a good size pole barn with heat, so we may look into him staying in that room for a while. I could never send him some place to stay though, like a doggie daycare or boarding. I have a REALLY bad experience and don't trust my dogs around other dogs to well. Here's my boy!! lol

I would inform your boyfriends mother that it's natural to go through stalls, and everyone does at some point, even those who have never had WLS! It's a part cycle. Also a lot of time during those stalls while you may not be losing weight, you may be losing inches. Some of the things I hate hearing when it comes to WLS.. 1. Being told by my cousin who weighs around 120lbs. She was trying to talk me out of the surgery and doing it the "natural healthy way" She said to me. "If I can do it, you can do it. I have faith in you"? Now I know this was meant to encourage me, but really it just ticked me off. My reply "Oh so you weighed over 400lbs and lost it on your own"? Other than that most people try to convince me of the high death rates, and complications, and how most people gain back and ends up being waste of money. I have found that if people are not researching, and thinking of getting WLS they are misinformed.

Ok this may be a strange question but I need any suggestions! I have a big playful boxer, he's a little over two years old. He seems to think I am personal laying posting. If I'm sitting on the couch he's beside me, if I try to lay down on the couch he thinks he has to lay on top of me. Sitting in the recliner chair.. you got it he's trying to climb up on me. I really need to break him from doing this before I get my surgery but I am having no luck!! He doesn't seem to understand that he can't be by me all the time. Boxer's are known for trying to be lap dogs..lol. He also jumps.. A LOT! Having issues with this.. need to break so he doesn't jump on me after I have surgery! There is only one thing that seems to keep him away from me and that's if I'm carrying the broom! If I have the broom he won't come near me..but I don't want to give up petting and loving him while me wounds heal, but I don't want him jumping, sitting, or laying on my stomach either! Any suggested??

I think I would cry if I was losing weight and dress sizes (haven't been sleeved yet) and my boobs were getting bigger! I'm looking forward to getting rid of some of my girls! They hurt me! But like someone else mentioned brands do make a difference! So that might be something to look into!

Praise God!!! With God all things are possible! So happy for your healing, and welcome to your new life!

Congrats!! I happy to hear that you are doing well..aside from the pain!!

Thanks Jkat!! Oh if there is one thing I have learned on this group is that WLS is NOT a miracle cure it's a tool that you have to work it.. that it's no walk in the park. I just can't sit down and do nothing.. dedication is VERY important. I plan on doing that! I'm actually looking forward to exercising. You have no clue how excited I am that I will be able to walk through the woods and do me some good ol' birding someday!! I've been longing for that day! I have been held back by this weight for far too long! I know this is going to be a long, and slow process too (which is hard for someone like me because I'm very impatient and often push myself too much). But I do understand one step at a time.

I have about 8 days until my consult..and I'm excited and nervous all in one! I'm so scared they are going to tell me they can't help me But I'm sure they will! lol.. If anyone who went through Dr. Curry can give me some tips and tell me what to expect I'll be forever grateful!

I have a question, well actually two, and was wondering if I could get some feed back! 1. How many weeks (if any) were you on a pre-opt diet? 2. How much weight did you lose during those weeks (if any)? Thank you!

I haven't had surgery yet, I actually meet with my surgeon on Nov.7. But I'm pretty sure he/she will go over all this with you. From what I have gathered with talking to the staff at my surgeon's office it sounds like the NUT sets up a diet plan etc tailored to each individual, since everyone is different. All I know is it's important to follow your dr's. instructions, even if it seems hard and you dread it. If by chance he doesn't go over any of this with you, then I would ask him/her. But I'm sure he will Best of luck!

The NUT lied to you plain and simple there are several (probably 100's) of people in this group alone who has had surgery with a BMI higher than 45.. I know when I get mine done I will be over 45! Actually I'm pretty sure there are probably some whose BMI's were closer to the 70's also! Is she in partner with your surgeons office or someone you see separate? If it were me I would try to find another surgeon all together. I know you said you have spent a lot of money, are you self pay, or are you insured? I wish you the best!

I have the opposite problem.. my surgeon won't do surgery on me until I lower my BMI to 50 or below and I'm in the upper 60's so I have some weight to lose before I can have weight loss surgery.. so frustrating!! I really wish they would just do away with the BMI and focus on actual weight, and muscle.